Tag Archives | bag

Jetty Crescent Tote

Noodlehead’s Crescent Tote has been on my list since I first saw it in an issue of Making magazine. Like all of Anna’s designs, I loved the sophisticated shape and thoughtful details. Plus, it looked like something I would enjoy using. It’s not too big, but it’s big enough to hold a few things when you need to. A Jetty Crescent Tote was just what I wanted.

To start, I wanted to use one of the special prints in Jetty. These designs feature one color running along one side of the fabric and another color running along the other side. I love these prints, because they’re like a two-for-one. You have so many options on how you can use them.

Any of the colors could work great, and I decided to go with the green. I’ve been in such a green mood lately! I used the dark green side of the print for most of the exterior, and then the lighter side for the lining. (1-1/2 yards of the print is all you need.)

As a bonus detail, I cut the exterior pocket pieces with a bit of the lining side included and in the opposite direction. The direction of the grid is rotated, and you get that fun, grey band in the center. This adds a nice detail with hardly any extra effort.

Since this is quilting-weight cotton fabric, I used a little extra interfacing than was recommended. In addition to the fusible fleece on the exterior pieces, I also interfaced them with SF 101 before adhering the fleece. I interfaced everything else as suggested in the pattern, and I think it worked out great. The bag stands up nicely and holds its own.

The pockets on this bag are just what you need. There’s a smaller zipper pocket inside and another zipper pocket on the outside. If you like to carry your bag on your left shoulder, I’d recommend reversing the exterior pocket. After a shoulder injury on my right side earlier this year, I’ve been trying to do more with my left, including how I carry bags. I made this bag as designed, and so the next time I make it, I’ll probably swap the front pocket to the other side.

I recently made a couple of Quilt As You Go Pouches by Svetlana Sotak from her book That Handmade Touch.

The pattern caught my eye for it’s cute shape and ability to make use of scraps. I’m such a scrap saver, and I love a project that makes good use of them. It feels like I’m cleaning up my sewing space and making something at the same time…because I am!

This is a great scrap project, because it can make use of any scraps big or small. Both pouches are made from some Jetty and Collection CF leftovers that I have in a basket from some other projects.

I generally tried to color each pouch a little differently, because I was making them as gifts for two friends.

For the quilt-as-you-go part, you make up two panels; one for the front and one for the back. I love seeing how the little details that you worked in to each panel get sewn up into the pouch.

This was my first time making one of Svetlana’s patterns, although I’ve admired them for years. It came together really easily, and I don’t think these will be my last!

For the Harriot release, I tried out a couple of new bag patterns. First up is the String Bag pattern by Green Pepper Patterns–a pattern company that I’ve mostly seen at Joann. They have a huge variety of designs, and I was curious to give one a try.

On the String Bag pattern, I made the Small size, which is actually a pretty handy size. I didn’t want one that was too big or too small, maybe one that could hold a pair of shoes for going to the gym. This is the perfect size for that, and I love that it is fully lined.

One thing that I really liked about this design was the front, zippered pocket. It gave me an opportunity to play with and feature the scallop.

This gray version is the most subtle of the scallops, and I like the results, especially paired with the brown zipper and drawstring.

I will admit that the instructions were a little hairy at times. If you’re new to making bags, there were a few parts that weren’t the clearest, and I do remember tweaking a few aspects to suit my taste. But in the end, I’m pleased with the outcome.

Next up are a couple of versions of another pattern that I wanted to try, the Finch Bucket Tote by Stitch Mischief. I’ve been doing a little bit of knitting lately, and this seemed like a worthwhile project to check out.

I made two versions, mostly because I couldn’t decide on just one!

Both make use of a couple of the different yarn dyed wovens in the collection as well as some screenprints.

I always like a bag that has lots of fabric opportunities as well as extra details like the corded drawstring and webbing strap on this one.

The inside of the bag has a nice, flat bottom, and the sides feature a wrap-around pocket.

On the other version, I used the scallop for the pocket.

Even though the finished size for these bags is clearly listed, they still seemed to surprise me a bit by how big they are. They are a little too big if you’re knitting socks, but easily large enough for a sweater or any other big project you have in the works.

There we go! A few new bags, and a couple of new patterns checked off my list.